12112023-JTR-01.qxd 11/12/2023 12:41 AM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune RESIDENTS ALL SET TO ENJOY FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS TODAY FARMERS UNHAPPY OVER GOVT MEASURES TO MANAGE STUBBLE FESTIVE RUSH, ENCROACHMENTS IN MARKETS LEAD TO CHAOS ON ROADS Diwali, often hailed as the radiant festival of lights, garners eager anticipation and widespread celebrations.P2 Even as the Agriculture Dept comes up with a new machine, the measure has so far failed to yield results. P2 Huge rush of vehicles, inadequate parking space & encroachments in markets created traffic snarls in Phagwara. P2 » » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR MAX 22°C | MIN 12°C YESTERDAY MAX 24°C | MIN 11°C SUNSET SUNDAY 5.31 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 6:53 AM SUNDAY | 12 NOVEMBER 2023 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF PSPCL EMPLOYEE ELECTROCUTED Phagwara: A PSPCL employee was electrocuted while repairing electricity supply at Khalwara village near Phagwara on Saturday afternoon. The deceased has been identified as Pardeep Kumar of Ravidas Nagar, Phagwara. Hardeep Singh, Additional Superintending Engineer, PSPCL, said Pardeep and other staff was repairing power lines at Khalwara village when he got electrocuted. OC THIEVES STEAL ~97K FROM SHOP Phagwara: The Nakodar city police have booked unidentified miscreants for stealing cash and electrical items from a shop. Tejinder Singh of Mohalla Sherpur, Nakodar, complained to the police that thieves barged into his electrical shop at MC Chowk on October 30 night and stole ~97,000 and electrical items worth ~1.70 lakh. A case had been registered against unidentified suspects. OC BATTERIES STOLEN Phagwara: The Shahkot police have booked unidentified miscreants for stealing large size batteries from three Sewa Kendras. Sarpanch Sukhraj Singh of Bagga village had complained to the police about the theft, said investigating officer Rashpal Singh. OC Residents make a beeline for Burlton Park to buy crackers Tribune News Service Jalandhar, November 11 A huge rush was witnessed at Burlton Park today where the administration had allowed the sale of firecrackers. Ninety per cent stalls here are selling ecofriendly ‘green’ firecrackers in accordance with the stringent guidelines of the Supreme Court to curb pollution. This shift aims to People buy firecrackers at Burlton Park in Jalandhar. MALKIAT SINGH avoid any last-minute ban or restrictions prompting manufacturers to prioritise eco-friendly firecrackers. Rajesh Jain, president, Mahavir Bajrangbali Fireworks Association, said the business was robust this year as certified green firecrackers were widely available in compliance with the standards set by the CSIR-NEERI. “More and more residents Continued on Page 2 ‘Black Diwali’ for residents of 16 villages Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, November 11 Residents of 16 villages across the flood-hit areas of Shahkot would observe a “black Diwali” this year as their paddy crop was destroyed in floods. Farmers of Baupur Jadid, Baupur Kadim, Rampura Gaura, Bhaini Kadar Baksh, Mohammedabad, Sangra, Mand Bandu Kadim and other villages said they did not reap any monetary benefits as their paddy crop was Continued on Page 2 Heroin worth ~50L seized, ~7.5 lakh robbery case cracked, 1 held 2 drug peddlers arrested Tribune News Service Phagwara, November 11 The police arrested two drug peddlers and recovered 100 grams of heroin worth an estimated Rs 50 lakh in the international market from their possession last night. Superintendent of Police (SP) Gurpreet Singh said the arrested peddlers were identified as Vijay Singh and Anil Kumar, both residents of Amritsar. The suspects were nabbed when they were coming on a bike bearing registration number PB-02EB-1705 near City Heart Hotel on PhagwaraHoshiarpur road at a checkpoint, the SP said. A case under the NDPS Act was registered against the arrested suspects. In the second case, the police arrested another drug peddler and recovered 10 grams of heroin from his possession last night. The arrested suspect was identified as Ramji Lal, a resident of Onkar Nagar, Phagwara. The police registered a case under the NDPS Act against the arrested suspect. — OC Jalandhar, November 11 The CIA staff of the city police cracked a recent robbery case involving looting of Rs 7.5 lakh cash from an employee of a sports firm at Leather Complex. The suspect has been identified as Sahil, a resident of Raja Garden. The police recovered Rs 2.55 lakh from his possession. The incident transpired on November 8, as per the complaint filed by Ashwani Kumar, the victim, who along with his colleague Ajay Agarwal, was en route to their sec- c m y b ond factory at Basti Sheikh on an Activa scooter. On their way, they were stopped by three individuals riding a black motorcycle, who wielded a knife. The suspects snatched the cash before making a hasty escape from the spot. Acting on the complaint, the police initiated an investigation, forming multiple teams to track down the culprits. The police said the arrested suspect, Sahil, previously worked as supervisor in the sports firm and had left the job two months ago. “Sahil was familiar with the company’s operations and its two distinct offices at Basti Sheikh and Leather Complex. Exploiting his knowledge of the cash transfer routines between the two offices around 3 pm, the robbers strategically targeted the two employees during a vulnerable transaction,” the police said. A case against Sahil and his accomplices under relevant sections of the IPC was registered in this connection. The police said raids were on to apprehend the other two suspects involved in the crime and recover the remaining amount. City air quality improves, AQI drops to 55 from 180 Tribune News Service Jalandhar, November 11 No farm fire was reported in Jalandhar district today. The air quality index (AQI) witnessed a record low of average 55 today — a day before Diwali. The rain yesterday, brought much needed relief for residents for the first time in days’ altogether. The maximum AQI was 91 today. It was a marked departure from the AQI on Friday, which was average 180 and maximum 348 in the city. Shops were abuzz with children and elderly, who were shopping for firecrackers, lights, sweets and other festival items.